Hertz - High rates and poor cars?

Our company requires us to use Hertz. I have the gold club which is worth nothing I now realize. Help, I used to use National and loved them. You could walk up and pick out the car you wanted. We average about $60 a day rates and I keep getting things like a Corolla, Mazda 6 and Malibus. I hate to sound like a spoiled brat but these are terrible cars in my opinion. I complained at MDW and was given a Taurus like it was the holy grail. It shook at 50 MPH and was still not a car that I would ever choose . I then hear from my client that he rents Taurus' from Hertz for $25 through Costco. Is my company getting a major rebate on the back end? IS there a trick I am missing. Allegedly our travel department is reserving " intermediate" cars. Is that the problem?

Well the cars you are getting are Intermediates.

$60 a day sounds high, but then I have seen rates higher than that at JFK, for example.

Your rate might also include LDW insurance and such.

A Taurus SES is the standard full-size car for Hertz locations.

I think the Mazda 6 is a great rental car.

What type of car do you like?

What location do you rent from?

National has very similar cars, though I notice that they tend to have DaimlerChryslers more than any others.

If like a certain type of car, you can ask Hertz to add it to your profile. I have also found them to be rather accommodating when I get a car I do not like.

[This message has been edited by Tummy (edited Jan 17, 2004).]

"I have the gold club which is worth nothing I now realize."

The basic scheme is solely there to enable you to bypass form filling when you pick up the car. That is worth something I would say. It becomes of more use once you reach 10 rentals in the year and get to 5* and are eligable for upgrades and really good if you reach 30 rentals ( 40 if registered in US or Canada ) and get to Presidents Circle.

Dave

Our US mid size rates have gone up 30%. This is if I use OUR rates our our company partner rates (e.g. when a partner of ours books travel and we use their CDP).

All of these company CDP's are for LARGE companies.

Anyone else seeing HUGE rate increases?

Gone are our $27 intermediate from Calif airports!